Process cartridge and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A process cartridge includes an image bearer to bear a toner image, a lubricant supply device to supply a lubricant to the surface of the image bearer, and a blade made of elastic material, with the leading end abutting the surface of the image bearer, wherein the leading end is formed to have an elasticity power of from 65 to 93 percent, wherein the process cartridge is detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process cartridge comprising:
 an image bearer configured to bear a toner image;   a lubricant supply device configured to supply a lubricant to a surface of the image bearer; and   a blade made of elastic material, with a leading end abutting the surface of the image bearer,   wherein the leading end is formed to have an elasticity power of from 65 to 93 percent,   wherein the process cartridge is detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The process cartridge according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the elasticity power is from 83 to 93 percent.   
     
     
         3 . The process cartridge according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the lubricant comprises an aliphatic acid metal salt and an inorganic lubricant.   
     
     
         4 . The process cartridge according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the aliphatic acid metal salt comprises at least one of zinc stearate, calcium stearate, and zinc laurate,   wherein the inorganic lubricant comprises at least one of mica, talc, and boron nitride.   
     
     
         5 . The process cartridge according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the blade is a cleaning blade having a substantially square plate-like form configured to remove an object adhering to the surface of the image bearer,   wherein the blade is supported at one end by a holder made of metal material and abuts the image bearer in a counter direction.   
     
     
         6 . The process cartridge according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the cleaning blade is formed of laminated layers each of which is made of rubber having either or both of a different composition and a different hardness.   
     
     
         7 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 the process cartridge of  claim 1 .